May 10, 2002

Chicago, Ill. - In a letter from Vic Avigliano, the Hall of Fame Selection Chairman, to University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor Sylvia Manning, the Illinois High School Gymnastic Coaches Association announced the induction of UIC men's gymnastics coach, CJ Johnson, into the IHSGCA Hall of Fame.

"Well this is a nice thing," said Johnson. "When you come up through the sport at a time when I did, this is very big."

Johnson joins two other Hall members with ties to UIC, including former standout Irv Bedard and former coach and athletic director Bill Roetzheim.

"The people that have been given this honor are those who serve the gymnastics community in a big way, so it is an honor to be respected in the same class," Johnson added.

Johnson started his coaching career at Proviso West High School in suburban Maywood where he produced three prep All-Americans.

At UIC, Johnson has also been rewarded for his mentoring expertise, racking up over 200 wins in his 28 years at the helm of the Flames. He reigned as the 1988, 1992 and 1995 Midwest Region Coach of the Year and in 1990 he received the United States Gymnastics Federation Distinguish Service award, which is second only to the USAG's Coach of the Year Award.

All of this followed an outstanding prep career and his stay at UIC where Johnson was a two-year captain as a collegiate gymnast.

Johnson will be inducted at a ceremony tonight, Friday, May 10 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.